The Reality Of DADT

Joseph Christopher Rocha, Former Petty Officer Third Class, U.S. Navy, writes a letter to the President:

After the recent letter by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
recommended the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” be delayed, this is
my plea to you on the behalf of the soldiers serving in silence to end
this law now:

I never wanted anything more in my life than to be
a career officer. My entire childhood I was exposed to abuse, violence,
and crime. I came out of it all with a simple, yet overwhelming desire
to serve. When my first attempt at getting into the Naval Academy
failed, I waited restlessly until I turned eighteen. I enlisted on my
birthday and set off to prove myself to the Academy. I was eager to
leave the cruelty of my past and join a true family.

I knew I
was gay, but it was irrelevant to me then. I was determined to join an
elite team of handlers working with dogs trained to detect explosives.
As I studied hard to pass exams and complete training, I was convinced
that the current law would protect me. I knew that based on merit and
achievement I would excel in the military.

I never told anyone I
was gay. But a year and a half later while serving in the Middle East,
I was tormented by my chief and fellow sailors, physically and
emotionally, as they had their suspicions. The irony of "Don't Ask,
Don't Tell" is that it protects bigots and punishes gays who comply.

Shop
talk in the unit revolved around sex, either the prostitute-filled
parties of days past or the escapades my comrades looked forward to.
They interpreted my silence and total lack of interest as an admission
of homosexuality. My higher-ups seemed to think that gave them the
right to bind me to chairs, ridicule me, hose me down and lock me in a
feces-filled dog kennel.

On one day in the Middle East, I was
ordered by a superior to get down on my hands and knees and simulate
oral sex on a person working in the kennel. We were supposed to pretend
that we were in our bedroom and that the dogs were catching us in the
act. Over and over, with each of the dogs in our unit, I was forced to
endure this scenario.

I told no one about what I was living
through. I feared that reporting the abuse would lead to an
investigation into my sexuality. Frankly, as we continue to delay the
repeal of this horrible law, I can’t help but wonder how many people
find themselves in similar, despicable situations and remain silent. My
anger today doesn’t come from the abuse, but rather from the inhumanity
of a standing law that allowed for it.

Three and a half years
later when the Navy started investigating claims of hazing, I had
finally earned my place at the Naval Academy Preparatory School. But
instead of celebration, I began to question the life of persecution,
degradation, and dishonor DADT had forced on me. I questioned the
institution -- our great military -- that would condone and endorse
this kind of treatment of its own members. The only thing I had ever
done wrong was to want the same thing my straight counterparts wanted:
a brotherhood and something to stand for.

At NAPS I realized
that a career of service under DADT would be a forfeiture of my basic
human rights. It would be a forfeiture of basic job security, peace of
mind, and meaningful relationships, particularly with my fellow
straight service members whom I was forced to deceive and betray.

After
completing a six-week officer candidate boot camp, my commanders said
they wanted to offer me a leadership role. But after what happened in
the Middle East and even the suicide of my close friend, I was mentally
and emotionally depleted. And so -- with my knees buckling -- I offered
my statement of resignation in writing:

"I am a homosexual. I
deeply regret that my personal feelings are not compatible with Naval
regulations or policy. I am proud of my service and had hoped I would
be able to serve the Navy and the country for my entire career.
However, the principles of honor, courage and commitment mean I must be
honest with myself, courageous in my beliefs, and committed in my
action. I understand that this statement will be used to end my Naval
career."

They say some people are just born designed for
military service. Its the way we are wired, and the only thing that
makes us happy. For too many of us, its the only family we ever had. I
am sure now, more than ever, after all the loss and hardship under
DADT, that all I want to do is serve as a career military officer.

Mr.
President, any delay in repeal is a clear signal to our troops that
their gay brothers and sisters in arms are not equal to them. I plead
that you take the lead -- fight for repeal -- and allow qualified men
and women to serve their country.

(Image by Jeff Sheng; his photobook of gay and lesbian service members can be bought here)

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